Indexing mechanism for paper cup machines



July 20, 1965 H. s. FISHER 3,195,373

INDEXING MECHANISM FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Filed Aug. 9, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 HARLAND .S. FISHER INVENTOR.

AGENT.

July 20, 1965 H. s. FISHER 3,195,373

INDEXING MECHANISM FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Filed Aug. 9, 1963 I 2Sheets-Sheet 2 HARLAND S. FISHER INVENTOR.

BYW

AGENT.

3,195,37 3 INDEXING MECHANISM FOR PAPER CUP MACHINES Harland S. Fisher,Longmeadow, Mass., assignor to United States Envelope Company,Springfield, Mass, a corporation of Maine Filed Aug. 9,1963, Ser. No.301,047 2 Claims. (Cl. 74-822) This invention relates generally to papercup machines or the like, and more specifically this invention relatesto work-carrying turrets for such machines in work pieces carried atadjacent stations thereon are to be successively positioned and held ata work-performing station for a short duration of time while some sortof operation is performed on the work piece.

Specific application of a machine according to this invention may befound where partially completed cups are successively brought intoposition to be operated on by apparatus such as a rim-curling tool. Arotatable turret is commonly provided with one or more cup receiverswhich conform generally to the shape of a cup, and are adapted toreceive a partially completed cup and hold it therein while the rim isformed around the open end of the cup. The rim-forming tool isstationary with respect to rotation about the axis of the turret.Although the rim-forming tool as shown and described herein is of thespinning type, this invention is also applicable in cases where therim-forming tool is of the stationary cold forming type. The turret isrotated intermittently such that at the completion of each movement, adifferent United States Patent receiver is positioned, relative to thelocation of the sta tionary rim-forming tool, so that the cup carriedthereby is in the correct position to be operated on by the rimformingtool.

When a rim-forming tool is brought in working contact with a cup, it ishighly desirable that the centerline there of is in alignment with thecenterline of the cup receiver with absolute preciseness. When thecenterline of the receiver is not positioned previsely in alignment withthe centerline of the rim-forming tool, the resulting lack of symmetryin the curled rim is unsightly, and even more important, causes lack ofstrength and rigidity in the cup. For example, it can readily be seenfrom the drawings of Loeser Patent No. 3,065,677 that a serious loss ofuniformity in the rim of the cup would occur if the centerline of thecup receiver were not precisely in alignment with the centerline of therim-forming tool. Other types of rim-forming tools are likewisedependent upon I precise alignment of the centerline of the cup receiverwith the centerline of a stationary tool.

Although various means for intermittently rotating the turret so thatadjacent receivers are brought into Working position beside therim-forming tool, such as for example, cams, ratchets, etc., one of themost common of such drives is the Geneva gear drive, designed tointermittently rotate the turret, from a constantly rotating drive,through an angle equal to the angle between two adjacent receiverscarried thereon, the Geneva gear being designed, of course, such thatreceiver stops will locate the centerline of each receiver as close isis practically possible to the centerline of the rim-forming tool. TheGeneva gear also serves to hold the turret fast during the stop periodswhile a cup is being operated on. However, it is generally known that inconventional drives for turrets such as Geneva gears, it is extremelydiflicult to maintain precision positioning of the turret because ofwear in the drive system.

It is, therefore, a main object of the present invention to providemeans for accurately aligning the centerlines of the cup receivers,during the stop periods of the "ice turret, with the centerline of thestationary rim-forming tool, so that the work which is to be performedon the cups may be performed as symmetrically as mechanically possible.This invention, in its application to paper cup machines, providesimproved means for forming curled rims at the end of paper cups by meansof precise alignment of the work piece carried by the turret with therimforming tool.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a portion of a paper cup making machine,illustrating the novel features of the present invention and theirrelationship to such paper cup making machines.

FIGURE 2 is a section view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a partial section view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a partial section view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a graphical illustration of a four-place rotatable turretand a stationary Work-performing tool, with only the centerlines of eachbeing illustrated.

Referring especially to FIGURE 1 in which a portion of a cup-makingmachine is illustrated, rotatable turret 10 is provided with severalangularly spaced work holding stations, or cup receivers 12 adapted toreceive and hold cups 14 by vacuum or other suitable means. Means areprovided for intermittently rotating the turret 10, each rotationthereof being effective to successively bring a receiver 12 and the cup14 carried thereby into axial register with a tool for performing someoperation thereon, which in this case is illustrated to be a rim-formingor curling tool 16. As each successive receiver 12 is stopped adjacentthe rim-forming tool 16, a leading receiver is discharging a cup whoserim has just been formed, and a trailing receiver is receiving a cupwhich is to subsequently have its rim formed, resulting in a continuoushandling of cups by the turret 10.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, four receivers 12 (whichcould be more or less) are spaced apart around a circular line 18,having its center coinciding with the axis of the turret 10, as bestshown in FIGURE 6. The axes of the four receivers are illustrated atpoints 20, 22, 24, and 26, and the axis of the rim-forming tool 16 islocated at 28. It is readily seen that the rim-forming tool 16 islocated relative to the turret 10 such that if the centerline 28 isextended in the direction of the turret 10, the centerline 28 willintersect a point on the circle 18. This point ofintersection representsa position where it is desired to stop each of the axes 2t), 22, 24, and26, to perform the rim-forming operation on the cup 12. The turret,then, is rotated 90 intermittently, each rotary movement being effectiveto successively locate points 20, 22, 24, and 26 as near as possible toan aligned position with respect to the axis 28, to bring the cup 14carried by each receiver 12 into work performing position, i.e., intoregister with the rim-forming tool 16.

Each time the turret 10 moves a new cup-carrying receiver 12 into thework performing position, the rimforming tool 16 is brought into workingcontact with the rim of the cup 14 extending out of the receiver 12. Therim-forming tool 16 and the gear 30 to which it is fixed, both rotatefreely on shaft 32 which is slidable longitudinally in frame 34. Shaft33 is driven from a power source (not shown) and gear 36 meshes withgear 30, thereby imparting a spinning motion to the rimforming tool 16.Rim-forming tool 16 is adapted for axial movement towards and away fromthe cup receiver 12. The periods of stop between the intermittent 90rotations of the turret it are just long enough for cam 4i), which isrotated in synchronism with the turret 10, to move the shaft 32 axiallytowards the turret to bring the tool 16 into working contact with a cup14 to form the rim, and subsequently to move shaft 32 axially away fromturret '10 to' withdraw the tool 16 from contact with the cup to waitfor the cup in the next receiver. 7

Probably the most common means for intermittently rotating the turret 10"so that the'receivers 12 are successively brought into workpreformingposition-is the Geneva gear system, illustrated generally at42 in FIG- URE 1. The manner inwhich const'antrotational motion isconverted into intermittent rotational movement by Geneva gears is sowell known that a description thereof is not deemed necessary. In themachine described herein, the Geneva gears are designed to inter-'mittently rotate the drive shaft 44 ninety degrees. Wheel 46 is keyed todrive shaft 44, and transmits therota tional movement imparted to it byshaft 44, to turret it), which is free to rotate about shaft 44, throughlocking tongue-and-groove-like couplings denoted generally at 43. Inproviding intermittent rotation to the turret 10 from a Geneva geardrive system in the past, difiiculty has been encountered in insuringabsolute' registration between the axis of the receivers 12 and the tool16. It is very expensive to machine the parts of the Geneva gears to runwith the precision necessary to form the small rim on the cups.Moreover, wear of the mating parts of the Geneva gears would result inloss of precision positioning of the output shaft of the Geneva gears,even if it was practical to machine the gears to the required de gree ofprecision. Also, locking dogs which'have been used in some instances in'the past to lock the turret in stop position are of no benefit in theprecise positioning of the turretunless the output shaft of the gearshas play when it is in a stop position. Play maybe de-I signed into thegears, or may becaused by excessive wear. However, in any case wherethere is'play, the gears pound themselves out in a relatively short timeand have to be replaced. in the present invention, these disadvantagesare overcome, andprecision positioning of the turret after each rotationis accomplished by means which will now be described.

Each ofthe locking couplings 48 comprise opposed, interlocking male andfemale elements 50 and 52, respectively. As shown in the drawings, themale elements 581 are rigidly mounted to the wheel 46, and the femaleelements 52 are rigidly mounted to the turret 10. The. male elementsSlDare wedge shaped, and the female ele ments 52 are simularly' taperedsuch that surface con tact occurs along the mating parts when the wheel4-6 is at its closest axial position to the turret 10. The turret 163,as previously mentioned, is free for rotation about drive shaft 44, butaxial movement is prevented by suitable thrust bearings or the like (notshown). Driving wheel 46, being keyed to shaft 44, is free for axialmovement along shaft 44, and is normally urged by spring 54 towardsturret 10 such that the locking couplings 48 are fully engaged. Hence,turret it) may be loosened from driving wheel 46 :by axial divergence ofthe driving wheel 46 with respect to turret 10.

Provided aroundthe periphery of turret 10 are a series of angularlyspaced notches 56, each-being positioned in a predetermined manner withrespect to a particular receiver 12. Each time the turret it) isrotated, a new receiver is brought as close as feasible into workpreforming position, and its corresponding notch is likewise placed inposition to be engaged by plunger 58. The plunger 58 and any particularnotch 56 are so designedand located in relation to the receivercorresponding to that particular notch that when the plunger 58 is fullyengaged with the notch, the corresponding receiver will be precisely inalignment with the rim-forming tool 16, or in other words, one of thereceiver axes 20, 22, v

I piston 62 vpushes the plunger 58 radially inward in relation to turret1t), and just prior to the turret 1%) beginning its next movement, airpiston 62 withdraws plunger 58 radially outward in relation to theturret 1%).

The essence of the present invention lies inshifting the control overtheposition of the turret it from the conventional driving means, suchas Geneva gears, to a precision'alignment mechanism during 'thestopperiod of the turret. Such .an arrangement is advantageous ecause exactprecision in the Geneva gears is no longer necessary, a certain amountof wear inthe' gear is permissive, and no undesirable play need bedesigned into the gear.

Control over the regular position of the turret 1% is shiftedgraduallyaway from the drive of the Geneva gear, by moving wheel &6 axially awayfrom the turret it} as the plunger 53 enters the notch 56. In movingradially inwardly of the turret 10,-and into notch 56, the cam 74 ofplunger 53 presses against roller 76 of the yoke-like lever 64. Lever 64is an annular member surrounding the periphery of wheel 46, and ispivoted at 66 to the frame 34. Lever 64 is provided with two rollers 63and-70 located 180 apart and each being located from pivot point 66,which protrude. radially inward of the lever into a continuouscircumferential groove '72 of the wheel 46. Pivoting of lever 64 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 causes rollers 68 and7@ to bear against the side" of the groove 72 in the wheel 46 anddiverge it axially from turret 10 against the action ofspring 54.

The tapered side 74 of plunger 58, acting as a cam against roller 76 ofyoke 64 when theplunger 5S begins to enter a notch 56, gradually forcesthe yoke 64 to pivot about 66.- Pivoting of the yoke 64 in this manner,axially separates the driving wheel 46' from turret 10, therebyloosen-ing thecouplings 48. Simultaneously as these coupling members areloosened, the Wedge shaped end of plunger 58 entering a notch 56 gentlycorrects the angular position of the turret It) 'With the tool 16,precisely aligning the axis of thecorresponding receiver with the tool16. Further inward radial movement of the plunger 58' causes thecoupling members 48 to further loQsen, allowing for further angularpositioning of the turret 1t until absolutely precisepositioning andlocking of turret 10 by plunger 58 has occured at full engagement of theplunger 58 with the notch 56, At the same time, the greatest looseningof the turret It at the couplings 48 is accomplished. Theoperation is,reversed during withdrawal of the plunger 58 from the notcl156. During astop period of the turret It control-thereover is actually transferredgradually from the Geneva gear system over to the precise alignmentplunger-notch system. Turret 10 is at all times maintained under.complete control. Advantages'of conventional drive systems are realized,while at the same time, precise positioning means may be utilized inconjunction therewith.

I claim: p 1. In a rotary work-carrying mechanism, in combination,

(a) a turret having a series of angularly'spaced work holding stationsand a series of angularly spaced peripheral notches; each ofsaid notchesbeing positioned in a predetermined manner with respect to a particularwork holding station,- said notches having opposite side surfacesconverging in a depthwise direction, Y (b) a rigid framememberadjacent'said turret,

(c) .a plunger reciprocally mounted in said frame, said plunger havingan end with tapered opposite sides substantially matching the sides ofsaid notches and a side shaped to form a cam,

(d) means for intermittently rotating said turret to looate successivenotches in position to he engaged by said plunger,

(e) a normally locked coupling connecting said rotating means with saidturret,

(t) a lever for unlocking said coupling extending into operationalengagement with the cam on said plunger,

(g) means for driving said plunger into engagement with a notch on saidturret between periods of rotation thereof,

(h) said cam operating to loo-sen said locking coupling during entry ofsaid plunger into a notch and to reengage said locking coupling duringWithdrawal from the notch.

Z. In a rotary Work carrying mechanism, in combination,

(d) a driving wheel slightly spaced from said turret and in axialalignment therewith, said wheel having a continuous circumferentialgroove,

(e) a series of angularly spaced, tapered, tongue-andgroove-likecoupling members connecting the facing sides of said turret and saiddriving wheel,

(f) a drive shaft connected to said driving wheel, said driving wheelbeing axially slidable on said drive shaft, 7

(g) a spring acting on the hub of said driving wheel to hold it inoperational engagement with said turret by means of said couplingmembers,

(h) means for intermittently rotating said drive shaft,

(i) a yoke-like member surrounding said driving wheel having two elementsubstantially 180 apart eX- tending inwardly thereof into operationalengagement with the groove of said driving wheel, and having a portionspaced substantially from said elements in operational engagement withsaid cam and a pivot point angularly spaced substantially 90 from saidelements opposite said portions in engagement with said cam, and I (3')means for driving said plunger radially inwardly of said turret duringstopperiods thereof.

liteterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,437,207 3/48Noxon 192-67 2,874,595 2/59 Foster 74*822 3,136,168 6/64 Matovich74125.5

BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A ROTARY WORK-CARRYING MECHANISM, IN COMBINATION, (A) A TURRETHAVING A SERIES OF ANGULARLY SPACED WORK HOLDING STATIONS AND A SERIESOF ANGULARLY SPACED PERIPHERAL NOTCHES, EACH OF SAID NOTCHES BEINGPOSITIONED IN A PREDETERMINED MANNER WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR WORKHOLDING STATION, SAID NOTCHES HAVING OPPOSITE SIDE SURFACES CONVERGINGIN A DEPTHWISE DIRECTION, (B) A RIGID FRAME MEMBER ADJACENT SAID TURRET,(C) A PLUNGER RECIPROCALLY MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME, SAID PLUNGER HAVING ANEND WITH TAPERED OPPOSITE SIDES SUBSTANTIALLY MATCHING THE SIDES OF SAIDNOTCHES AND A SIDE SHAPED TO FORM A CAM, (D) MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLYROTATING SAID TURRET TO LOCATE SUCCESSIVE NOTCHES IN POSITION TO BEENGAGED BY SAID PLUNGER, (E) A NORMALLY LOCKED COUPLING CONNECTING SAIDROTATING MEANS WITH SAID TURRET, (F) A LEVER FOR UNLOCKING SAID COUPLINGEXTENDING INTO OPERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CAM ON SAID PLUNGER, (G)MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID PLUNGER INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH A NOTCH ON SAIDTURRET BETWEEN PERIODS OF ROTATION THEREOF, (H) SAID CAM OPERATING TOLOOSEN SAID LOCKING COUPLING DURING ENTRY OF SAID PLUNGER INTO A NOTCHAND TO REENGAGE SAID LOCKING COUPLING DURING WITHDRAWAL FROM THE NOTCH.